Eight new triterpene dimers (1-8) were isolated from Maytenus scutioid
es (Celastraceae). Their structures were determined on the basis of sp
ectroscopic evidence and their absolute configurations by means of CD
studies. Their possible biogenetic route is discussed. One unnatural d
imer was synthesized by a hetero Diels-Alder reaction. Copyright (C) 1
996 Elsevier Science Ltd